The States Boundary Committees of the frontline states along the Nigeria-Cameroon international border have appointed Professor Kaletapwa George, the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, as the Chairperson of the forum. This announcement was made during a one-day workshop held in Yola aimed at creating Nigeria’s Platform for Local Border Authorities along the Nigeria-Cameroon International Boundary.
The frontline states consist of Adamawa, Borno,Taraba, Benue Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
Professor George, also known as Farauta, expressed the importance of the forum in fostering trans-border cooperation between Nigeria and Cameroon. She emphasized that this cooperation would serve the collective security interests of both nations while boosting the economy and prosperity of the member states involved.
Highlighting the historical ties between the two countries predating the arrival of colonial administration, Farauta stressed the need to unlock avenues for progress and development.
“Out of the 2100 kilometers of the Nigeria-Cameroon boundary, Adamawa shares approximately 600 kilometers, spanning over nine out of the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs),” she stated. “On the Cameroonian side, the state shares borders with Far North, North, and North West regions, positioning Adamawa as a major stakeholder in cross-border projects.”
Adamu Adaji, the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, emphasized the federal government’s recognition of the pivotal role played by border local government authorities and traditional rulers in fostering peaceful coexistence between Nigeria and its neighboring countries. He underscored the importance of their role in facilitating cross-border cooperation and regional integration.
Representing the Director-General, Barrister Amina Nyako, Director of Research and Policy Analysis, highlighted that the Niamey convention aimed to ensure effective and integrated border management. Its objectives include combating cross-border crime and transforming border areas into catalysts for growth.
“Both the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have emphasized the significance of sub-regional engagements between composite regional and local authorities,” Nyako added.
Expressing concern, Wura-Ola Adepoju, the Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), highlighted the 712-kilometer stretch without a clear demarcation of boundaries between Adamawa and Cameroon in the six member states. He stressed that a clear demarcation would eradicate stateless individuals falling outside the borders of both Nigeria and Cameroon due to improper border demarcation.
The workshop ended on a note emphasizing the necessity for coherent and concerted efforts to address boundary issues for sustainable peace, security, and development along the Nigeria-Cameroon border.
